Packaging Container

ABSTRACT

A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed with each other has an outer container for a first component and at least one inner container for a second component arranged inside the outer container. The outer container and the inner container have container walls and at least one of the container walls is at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material. At least the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seam along one side. The inner container is openable by pressure application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the first and second components within the packaging container. The outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening. The inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the exterior.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a packaging container for at least twocomponents to be mixed with each other, in particular for a beverage,comprising an outer container for storing a first component and at leastone inner container arranged inside the outer container for storing asecond component wherein one or several sides of the outer and/or innercontainer at least partially are comprised of flexible plastic materialand at least the outer container along one side has at least oneshape-defining sealed seam, weld seam or a similar joining seam, andwherein the inner container is configured so as to be openable bypressure application from the exterior for mixing of the secondcomponent with the first component to be carried out within thepackaging container.

Such packaging containers are known in particular for two-componentadhesives and are described, for example, in DE 296 13 563 U1. It ishowever a problem in case of this type of containers that, after cuttingopen the outer container, the removal of the mixed component oftencauses the inner container connected therewith to be inevitably removedalso.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the container of theaforementioned kind with regard to the aforementioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved by apackaging container of the aforementioned kind that is characterized inthat the outer container has an area provided for forming a removalopening and the inner container has outer dimensions that, when theouter container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting tothe exterior.

According to the invention, it is provided that the outer container hasan area provided for forming a removal opening while the inner containerhas outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, preventthe inner container from exiting or being discharged to the exterior orat least impair or hinder it from doing so, in particular the outerdimensions are such that, to a large extent and for normal use, theypreferably completely prevent the inner container from exiting. Thedimensions can be designed such that exiting through the removal openingor through an area leading to the removal opening of the outer containeris prevented.

The outer container has means for forming a removal opening or alreadyhas a removal opening that is closed whose size can be predetermined andin particular can be matched to the inner bag (pouch). The area that isprovided for forming the removal opening is, for example, a corner areaor a differently shaped area of the outer container that can be used inthe manner of a spout. Accordingly, during removal of the mixedcomponent, in particular of the mixed beverage, removal of the innercontainer, preferably an inner bag (pouch) that is comprised of filmmaterial, is prevented to a large extent or is completely prevented.During normal use, i.e., upon removal of the mixture through the removalopening, the inner container is thus unremovable. Such a packagingcontainer is particularly advantageous when used for modern mixedbeverages. In this connection, in the interior of the inner container aflavoring component, which may be an alcoholic component, may be presentwhile the interior of the outer container that surrounds and is thusoutside of the inner container is filled with a basic substance thatforms the basis of the mixed beverage. By means of such a packagingcontainer in particular made of a film material it is possible toprovide inexpensively producible, easily transportable and easilydisposable, preferably alcoholic, mixed beverages or drinks in aplurality of variants.

Preferably, the inner container has, in a projection onto a planedefined by the free cross-section of the removal opening, at least inone longitudinal or transverse direction a size greater than the removalopening. In particular, in case of an inner bag variant that is formedby means of a circumferentially extending sealed seam the inner bagafter mixing of the two components can have a shape that is defined bythe sealed seam an provides an elongate configuration like a flat pillowwith dimensions that do not fit through the removal opening.

Alternatively or in addition, the outer container, in particular in thearea of the removal opening or in an area leading to it, can also havemeans for reducing the free cross-section, in particular the freecross-section of the removal opening. For this purpose, grid structures,film flanges or the like introduced into the outer container areconceivable. In particular, such a means may also be a weld spot forconnecting opposed sides to each other. The passageways for the mixedcomponent to be poured out are then still sufficiently large while thedimensions of the inner bag that has been emptied by applying pressureare too large in order to fit through the reduced size of the freecross-section leading to the removal opening or to fit through theremoval opening. The introduction of weld spots is possible in a simpleway during filling or sealing of the outer container.

Preferably, the removal opening is predetermined by a section ofweakened material of at least one side of the outer container or a pullthread connected to the outer container. In this connection, inparticular perforations, introduced by laser, of the film materialforming the outer side of the outer container can be used to form thesection of weakened material. Alternatively, the removal opening canalso be formed by a weldable pouring spout that is introduced into andwelded to the outer container; such a pouring spout allows in particulara problem free pouring action because of the provided fixed lateralwalls of the pouring spout in contrast to the situation when using filmmaterial as a pouring means.

The packaging container configured of film is furthermore improved withrespect to removal when in the area of the removal opening at least oneside of the packaging container is provided with a reinforcement of theremoval area that is produced preferably by means of profiling. Theremoval area in this connection is the area of the packaging containerleading to the removal opening. Preferably, this is realized by one orseveral profiles introduced in particular by embossment into the sidesof a packaging container which, viewed in the direction of their mainlongitudinal extension, preferably point toward the removal opening. Inthis way, it is possible, even for packaging containers that areconstructed of film material and that can be compressed to a flat shapefor emptying, to provide removal passages that can still effectivelyensure a simple pouring action.

Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to provide thickermaterial portions or, for example, tubular structures that areintroduced into the film or arranged on its inner side and that act in astabilizing way or form flow passages.

A targeted design of a packaging container that simultaneously preventsremoval of an inner container in an effective way is provided when theouter container has a bottle-shaped contour and the removal opening isarranged in the area of the bottleneck. Profilings that are introducedin the bottleneck are particularly effective. At the same time, theshape of the sealed rim and the contour of the packaging container canensure an upright or straight positioning of the bottleneck duringpouring of the mixed component. The area of the bottleneck upstream ofthe removal opening is then preferably in the form of the aforedescribed areas, or the areas to be described in the following, withmeans for cross-sectional reduction and the free flow passage surfacearea.

While the inner container is preferably freely movable within the outercontainer and therefore the complete removal of the mixture can beprevented, in variants of the packaging container according to theinvention in which the inner container is relatively large and is formedof a very flexible film, it is advantageous to additionally fix orsecure the inner container within the outer container. This can be done,for example, by integration of a rim area of the inner container in asealed seam of the outer container.

Manufacturing, filling and closing of the packaging container aresimplified when the outer container and/or inner container are/is formedas a form-fill-seal bag (FFS).

For use in connection with in particular liquid components, inparticular foodstuffs, such as mixed beverages, it has been found to beadvantageous to provide the sealed seam of the inner container with thesealed seam force between 1 and 10 N/15 mm, preferably between 2 and 7N/15 mm. In this way, a transport of a packaging container according tothe invention, for example, as a replacement of known packagingcontainers in the form of cans, is ensured effectively.

For the same reason, the sealed seam of the outer container should havea sealed seam force of more than 15 N/15 mm.

Identifying the contents of a packaging container and checking on thedegree of mixing of the two components with each other are facilitatedwhen at least one side of the outer container is at least in areasthereof transparent. In this way, for example, by means of a transparentwindow on one side and by simultaneously providing printed informationcircumferentially on the edge of the film it is possible to provide avisually pleasing packaging container that, at least approximately, hasa bottle-shaped contour but at the same time in an impressive waydiffers from conventional bottle shapes. As a bottle-shaped contour inthis connection a shape is to be understood that has a wide bottle bodyand a narrower bottleneck. Preferably, a packaging container is embodiedat the same time as a stand-up bag (pouch) that for enlarging thefillable volume, in particular with unchanged front side, and forreducing the required volume after removal of the mixed beverage haslateral folds (gussets). Particularly advantageous is an embodiment ofthe packaging container according to the invention as a stand-up bagbecause of the inherent possibility of providing an upright (stand-up)container that can be better adapted to a bottle contour. Such acontainer can also be put down during consumption of the contents andcan maintain its bottle shape.

A transparent side of the outer container is to be understood also as atinted side that allows passage only of a certain wavelength.

In a further embodiment according to the invention at least one side ofthe inner container is at least partially transparent; this enablespleasing visual effects of the components prior to mixing and, on theother hand, provides an indication of the contents of the innercontainer or inner bag.

As an alternative to the embodiment of the outer container as a stand-upcontainer, the outer container can also be embodied as a tube.Accordingly, the material of the outer container may be aninjection-molded plastic material and not only blown or cast film.

As materials that are conceivable for the outer container and/or theinner container, single-layer or multi-layer film materials areadvantageous in particular because of the correlated manufacturingcosts. In comparison to conventional glass containers significant costsavings can be achieved. At the same time, as a result of the variety ofpossible sealed seams it is possible to produce a plurality of differentpackaging containers that are all of a bottle shape with respect totheir contour.

Particularly advantageous as a material for the films are polyolefinfilms (PE and/or PP), polyester films with/without deposition of abarrier of, for example, aluminum, aluminum oxide or silicon oxide. Inparticular silicon oxide can be used for the transparent side walls as adeposited barrier. Also, aluminum film or polyamide film areconceivable. As multi-layer films co-extrusion films or laminated filmsor foils can be used.

Possible embossments in the you ring spout area can be designeddifferently. In particular, a semi-tubular embossment from the interiorto the exterior on both sides is conceivable.

In addition to the use of the packaging container according to theinvention for cocktails, there is also a plurality of other fields ofapplication concerning products that are to be stored separately andmixed before use, for example, cleaning agents, fertilizer or paint. Theemployed materials of the packaging container are to be matchedappropriately to the ingredients and components to be contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an article according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view along section line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view according to FIG. 2 for another articleaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a section view along section line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a further article according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another article according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a section view along VII-VII according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a view of yet another article according to the invention

FIG. 9 is a view of a further article according to the invention.

Same or same-acting parts, inasmuch as expedient, are identified withidentical reference characters. Individual technical features of theembodiments described in the following may also be combined withfeatures of the afore described embodiments to provide furtherdevelopments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a packaging container for at least two components of amixed drink or beverage to be mixed with each other. The packagingcontainer has an outer container 1 for storing a first component 2,illustrated only schematically, and an inner container 3 arranged insidethe outer container 1 for storing a second component 4 that is alsoillustrated only schematically. This second component 4 is to be mixedprior to consumption with the first component 2 for which purpose theinterior container 3 is configured to be opened by pressure applicationfrom the exterior, in particular by manual actuation. For this purpose,a sealed seam 6 with a sealed seam force between 2 and 7 N/15 mm isprovided. By pressure application, in particular manual pressure appliedfrom the exterior onto the flexible packaging container walls or sides 7(of the outer container) and 8 (of the inner container 3), in particularin the directions A and B as shown in FIG. 4, the sealed seam can tearopen.

The lateral walls 7 and 8 for this purpose are made of flexible plasticmaterial and have along their outer sides at least in some areas ashape-defining sealed seam 9 or sealed seam 6.

The sealed seam 6 as well as the sealed seam 9 are designed to extendcircumferentially wherein the inner container is formed as an FFS bag(pouch) and is of a rectangular shape in a front view. However, it canalso be oval or round (compare in particular FIG. 6).

In the front view according to FIG. 1, the outer container has an area11 that is provided for forming a removal opening, i.e., an area inwhich the removable opening is formed or by means of which it is formed,as in the present case of FIG. 1 by configuration of a separation line13 that is formed by perforations of the lateral walls 7 and 12.

For reinforcing the bottleneck 14 of the packaging container, severalembossments 16 are provided as profilings that extend with theirlongitudinal extension in the direction toward the defined removalopening.

At the bottom side, for ensuring a stable upright position, a bottomfold is provided whose upper end is marked by a line 17.

After crushing it, the inner container 3 remains, because of its sealingedge 6, in its basic rectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 1 and hasthus (longitudinal) lengths in the direction of the illustration planethat are greater and remain greater than the inner width (clearance) ofthe removal opening that is formed by tearing off the upper part. At thesame time, by the shape of the outer container and the sealed rim thatis provided thereat, a reinforcement of the bottleneck 14 is ensured sothat the inner width of the removal opening during removal of the mixedcomponent is not enlarged.

The embossments 16 that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are of asemi-circular shape and bulge outwardly prevent that the areas of theoppositely positioned sidewalls 7 and 12 of the outer container rest oneach other and are closed off. In a further embodiment according to FIG.3, embossments 16 are introduced on both opposed sides 7 and 12. Theseembossments can also extend across larger areas of the sides 7 and 12and can have any structure of a length that serves for reinforcement andkeeping the shape. For example, these structures may be also of ameandering shape or a different shape.

In FIG. 4, a section view of the article according to the inventionafter removal of the liquids 2 and 4 is illustrated, i.e., afterpressure loading in the directions A and B. The packaging containeraccording to the invention can be easily compressed and can thus beeasily stored or disposed of.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner containers are arranged so asto float freely within the inner container. While the removal opening ofthe embodiment of FIG. 5 is formed by a weldable pouring spout 18provided with a screw closure 17 that is integrated into the sealed seam9 and the embodiment of FIG. 5 thus has a fixed pouring passage, in theembodiment of FIG. 6 a pouring passage is provided by means of the filmsides of the bottleneck 14. For preventing that the two inner containers3 and 3′ are poured out during removal of the mixed component, thebottleneck 14 is provided with a weld spot 19 by means of which thefront and rear walls or sides 7 and 12 are connected to each other.Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the dimensions ofthe inner containers are greater than the passage width of a removalpath toward the removal opening or of the removal opening.

FIG. 7 shows the shape of the packaging container in a state analog toFIG. 4, i.e., after removal of the mixture. By using lateral and bottomfolds 21, the packaging container can be minimized with respect to thevolume to be disposed of.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, a packaging container according tothe invention in a tube shape is disclosed. In this connection, theembodiment of FIG. 8 has a sealed seam 22 required for producing a hoseand a bottom closure seam 23 while at the other open end 24 a tubeclosure 26 with a screw top 27 is arranged. Alternatively, in theembodiment of FIG. 9 a tear seam 13 is present by means of which theupper part 28 can be removed.

Preferably, the inner bag is designed as an inner peel pouch, i.e., bymanual pressure application the sealed seams open easily.

With the contour of FIG. 1 having an average width base, a wider middlesection, and a narrow neck area or removal area, the article accordingto the invention is approximately shaped like a cocktail shaker used formixing cocktails.

The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure ofGerman priority document 20 2011 106 994.3 having a filing date of Oct.21, 2011.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodied otherwise withoutdeparting from such principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging container for at least two componentsto be mixed with each other, the packaging container comprising: anouter container configured to store a first component; at least oneinner container arranged inside the outer container and configured tostore a second component; wherein the outer container and the innercontainer have container walls and at least one of the container wallsis at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material; wherein atleast the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seamalong one side; wherein the inner container is configured so as to beopenable by pressure application from the exterior of the outercontainer for mixing the first and second components within thepackaging container; wherein the outer container has an area providedfor forming a removal opening; and wherein the inner container has outerdimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the innercontainer from exiting to the exterior of the outer container.
 2. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container,in a projection onto a plane that is defined by a free cross-section ofthe removal opening, has a dimension in at least one longitudinal ortransverse direction that is greater than a dimension of the removalopening.
 3. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein theremoval opening is predetermined by a section of weakened materialprovided on at least one side of the outer container or by a pullthread.
 4. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein theremoval opening is formed by a pouring spout that is welded into theouter container.
 5. The packaging container according to claim 1,wherein in the area of the removal opening at least one side of thepackaging container is provided with a reinforcement.
 6. The packagingcontainer according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is provided byprofilings.
 7. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein theouter container in the area of the removal opening has means that reducea free cross-section of the removal opening.
 8. The packaging containeraccording to claim 7, wherein the means is a weld or a film flange. 9.The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outercontainer in the area of the removal opening has means that reduce afree cross-section of an area leading to the removal opening.
 10. Thepackaging container according to claim 9, wherein the means is a weld ora film flange.
 11. The packaging container according to claim 1, whereinthe outer container has a bottle-shaped contour and the removal openingis arranged in the area of a bottleneck of the bottle-shaped contour.12. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the innercontainer is freely movable inside the outer container.
 13. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container issecured inside the outer container.
 14. The packaging containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the outer container is an FFS bag.
 15. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container isan FFS bag.
 16. The packaging container according to claim 1, whereinthe outer container and the inner container are FFS bags.
 17. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed seam of theinner container has a sealed seam force of 1-10 N/15 mm.
 18. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed seam of theouter container has a sealed seam force of more than 15 N/15 mm.
 19. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least one side ofthe outer container is at least partially transparent.
 20. The packagingcontainer according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of the innercontainer is at least partially transparent.
 21. The packaging containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the outer container is a stand-upcontainer or a tube.
 22. The packaging container according to claim 1,wherein the outer container is constructed of a single-layer filmmaterial
 23. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein theouter container is constructed of a multi-layer film material.